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[63] 



BHBSfKDQS&lL 



PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF MANAGERS 



AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCIETY. 



TEBRUARY 3, 1820. 

Referred to the Committee on so much of the President's Message as relates to 

the Slave Trade. 




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WASHINGTON: 

rRIKTZD BY GALES & SEATOW. 

1820. 



t63] 



TO THE HONORABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESEN- 
TATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



The President and Board of Managers of the American Coloni- 
zation Society, respectfully represent that, being about to commence 
the execution of the object to which their views have been long direct- 
ed, they deem it proper and necessary to address themselves to the 
legislative council of their country. They trust that this object will 
be considered, in itself, of great national importance, will be found 
inseparably connected with another, vitally affecting the honor and 
interest of this nation, and leading, in its consequences, to the most 
desirable results. 

Believing that examination and reflection will shew that such are 
its connections and tendency, they are encouraged to present them- 
selves, and their cause, where they know that a public measure, 
having these advantages, cannot fail to receive all the counten.2."y:e 
and aid it may require. 

The last census shews the number of the free people of color of the 
United States, and their rapid increase. Supposing them to increase 
in the same ratio, it will appear how large a proportion of our popu- 
lation will, in the course of even a few years, consist of persons of 
that description. 

No argument is necessary to shew that this is very far indeed from 
constituting an increase of our physical strength; nor can there be a 
population, in any country, neutral as to its effects upon society. 
The least observation shews that this description of persons are not. 
and cannot be, either useful or happy among us; and many consider- 
ations, which need not be mentioned, prove, "beyond dispute, that it is 
best, for all the parties interested, that there should be a separation; 
that those who are now free, and those who may become so hereafter, 
should be provided with the means of attaining t»o a state of respec- 
tability and happiness, which, it is certain, they have never yet reach- 
ed, and, therefore, can never be likely to reach in this country. 

Several of the States, deeply interested in this subject, have al- 
ready applied to the general government; and, concurring in the 
views of your memorialists, both from considerations of justice towards 
themselves and humanity towards the colored people, have expressed, 
to the general government, their desire that a country should be pro- 
cured for them, in the land of their forefathers, to which such of 
them, as should choose to avail themselves of the opportunity, might 
he removed. It has been the one single object of the Society, which 
your memorialists represent, to effect this end. They have made the 
most cautious and particular inquiries, as to the practicability of such 



4 [63] 

a plan and its prospects of success, both in this country and in 
Africa, and they are warranted in declaring, that there are no diffi- 
culties which they do not confidently expect will be easily overcome 
by a moderate exertion of discretion and perseverance. 

In this country, and in almost every part of it, they have found a 
zealous and decided approbation expressed, both in words and deeds, 
by a vast majority of all classes of our citizens; and this sentiment 
is continually increasing as the measure becomes more the subject of 
discussion and reflection. Its importance all admit; and its practi- 
cability, though doubted by many, at first, is daily less questioned. 

The two last reports of the Society, to which your memorialists 
beg leave to refer, shew the success of their mission to Africa, and 
the result of their inquiries upon that continent. From those it is 
manifest that a situation can be readily obtained, favorable to com- 
merce and agriculture, in a healthy and fertile country, and that the 
natives are well disposed to give every encouragement to the esta- 
blishment of such a settlement among them. Thus, it appears, that 
an object of great national concern, already expressly desired by 
someof the states and truly desirable to all, receiving, also, the ap- 
probation of those upon whom it is more immediately to operate, is 
Drought within our reach. 

Tsiit tiiis subject derives, perhaps, its chief interest from its con- 
nection with a measure which has, already, to the honor of our coun- 
try, occupied the deliberations of the Congress of the United States. 

Your memorialists refer, with pleasure, to the Act, passed at the 
last session of Congress, supplementary to the Act formerly passed 
for the suppression of the slave trade. The means afforded, by the 
provisions of that Act, for the accomplishment of its object, are cer- 
tainly great; but the total extirpation of this disgraceful trade, can- 
not, perhaps, be expected from any measures which rely, alone, npon 
the employment of a maritime force, however considerable. 

The profits attending it are so extraordinary, that the cupidity ol 
the unprincipled will still tempt them to continue it, as long as there 
is any chance of escaping the vigilance of the cruizers engaged 
against them. From the best information your memorialists have 
been able to obtain, of the nature, causes, and course of this trade, 
and of the present situation of the coast of Africa, and the habits and 
dispositions of the natives, they are well assured that the suppres- 
sion of the African slave trade, and the civilization of the natives, 
are measures of indispensable connection. 

Such an opinion has been avowed, many years ago, by those best 
acquainted with this subject, and experience h;is abundantly confirm- 
ed it. 

The documents and papers which your memorialists had heretofore 
the honor of presenting to Congress, and those contained in the late 
reports of the Society, prove this position. 

Since the establishment of the English settlement at Sierra Leone, 
the slave trade has been rapidly ceasing on that part of the coast. 



[63] 5 

Not only the kingdoms in its immediate neighborhood, but those 
upon the Sherbro and Bagroo rivers, and others with whom the peo- 
ple of that settlement have opened a communication, have been pre- 
vailed upon to abandon it, and are turning their attention to the ordi- 
nary and innocent pursuits of civilized nations. 

That the same consequences will result from similar settlements 
cannot be doubted. When the natives there see that the European 
commodities, for which they have been accustomed to exchange their 
fellow-beings, until vast and fertile regions have become almost de- 
populated, can be more easily and safely obtained by other pursuits, 
can it be believed that they will hesitate to profit by the experience ? 
Nor will the advantages of civilization be alone exhibited. That 
Religion, whose mandate is " peace on earth and good will towards 
men," will " do its errand," will deliver them from the bondage of 
their miserable superstitions, and display the same triumphs which it 
is achieving in every land. 

That such points of settlement would diffuse their light around 
the coast, and gradually dispel the darkness which has so long en- 
shrouded that continent, would be a reasonable hope, and would jus- 
tify the attempt, even if experience had not ascertained its suc- 
cess. Although, therefore, much may be effected by the vigilance 
of a well disposed naval force, it is to be feared that much will al- 
ways remain to be done, until some degree of civilization is attained 
by the inhabitants of the coast of Africa. The present measures, 
therefore, for the suppression of the slave trade, if unconnected with 
others for the improvement of the natives, must be long continued, 
and the effects produced by them must be partial, tedious, and uncer- 
tain; and the least relaxation of this vigilance will revive it. 

But those measures, and all others involving expense and labor, 
may be withdrawn, as soon as these establishments on the coast be- 
come strong enough to participate in the contest against avarice and 
inhumanity, and shall obtain, from their evident advantages over the 
natives, a proper influence among them. And here your memorialists 
beg leave, respectfully, to suggest their fears that many of the profli- 
gate adventurers in this trade will evade the search of our cruizers 
by their artful contrivances in disguising their national character. 
We have reason to believe that the slave ships of other nations as- 
sume the flag and character of Americans to avoid the search of Brit- 
ish cruizers. Is it not, therefore, to be expected that the act lately 
passed will often be defeated by American slave ships assuming a fo- 
reign flag and character ? A careful consideration of this subject 
has convinced us that all our efforts will be insufficient to accomplish 
their purposes, unless some friendly arrangement can be made among 
the maritime powers of the world, which shall leave no shelter to 
those who deserve to be considered and treated as the common ene- 
mies of mankind. 

Whether a permission, under any modification, to certain specified 
-ships, or in certain latitudes, to search and seize slave ships, under 



6 [63] 

our flag, such as Great Britain, and other European powers, have 
mutually given to each other, can he properly granted hy our govern* 
nient, we cheerfully leave to the wisdom and justice of Congress to 
determine. Your memorialists will only express their hope and be- 
lief, that your deliberations on this interesting subject will enable 
you to discern a way, without any compromitment of our national ho- 
nor, by which our country may be placed among the foremost and 
most efficient asserters of the rights of humanity. But your memo- 
rialists humbly consider, that the colonization of Africa offers the 
most powerful* and indispensable auxiliary to the means already 
adopted, for the extermination of a trade, which is now exciting, in 
every country, that just indignation, which has been long since felt 
and expressed in this. 

No nation has it so much in its power to furnish proper settlers for 
such an establishment as this; no nation has so deep an interest in 
thus disposing of them. By the law passed at the last session, and 
before referred to, the captives who may be taken by our cruisers, 
from the slave ships, are to betaken to Africa, and delivered to the 
custody of agents appointed by the President. There will then be a 
settlement of captured negroes upon the coast, in consequence of the 
measures already adopted. And it is evidently most important, if not 
necessary to such a settlement, that the civilized people of color, of 
this country, whose industry, enterprise, and knowledge of agricul- 
ture, and the arts, would render them most useful assistants, should 
be connected with such an establishment. 

When, therefore, the object of the Colonization Society is viewed, 
in connection with that entire suppression of the slave trade, which 
your memorialists trust it is resolved shall be effected, its import- 
ance becomes obvious and extreme. The beneficial consequences re- 
sulting from success in such a measure, it is impossible to calculate. 
To tiie general cause of humanity, it will afford the most rich and 
noble contribution, and for the nation that regards that cause, that 
employs its power in its behalf, it cannot fail to procure a proportion- 
ate reward. It is by such a course that a nation secures to itself the 
protection and favor of the Governor of the world. Nor are there 
wanting views and considerations, arising from our peculiar political 
institutions, which would justify the sure expectation of the most 
signal blessings to ourselves from the accomplishment of such an ob- 
ject. If one of these consequences shall be the gradual, and almost 
imperceptible, removal of a national evil, which all unite in lament- 
ing, and for which, with the most intense, but hitherto hopeless anx- 
iet v, the patriots and statesmen of our country have labored to dis- 
cover a remedy, who can doubt, that, of all the blessings we may be 
permitted to bequeath to our descendants, this will receive the richest 
tribute of their thanks and veneration ? 

Your memorialists cannot believe that such an evil, universally 
acknowledged and deprecated, has been irremoveably fixed upon us. 
Some way will always be opened by Providence, by which a people, 



[ 63 ] 7 

desirous of acting justly and benevolently, may be led to tbe attain- 
ment of a meritorious object. And they Believe, that, of all the 
plans, which tbe most sagacious and discerning of our patriots have 
suggested, for effecting what they have so greatly desired, the colo- 
nization of Africa, in the manner proposed, presents the fairest pros- 
pects of success. But if it be admitted to be ever so doubtful, whether 
this happy result shall be the reward of our exertions, yet if great 
and certain benefits immediately attend them, why may not others, 
still greater, follow them. 

In a work evidently progressive, who shall assign limits to the 
good that zeal and perseverance shall be permitted to accomplish r 
Your memorialists beg leave to state, that, having expended consider- 
ble funds in prosecuting their inquiries and making preparations, they 
are now about to send out a colony, and complete the purchase, al- 
ready stipulated for with the native kings and chiefs of Sherbro, of 
a suitable territory for their establishment. The number they are 
now enabled to transport and provide for, is but a small proportion of 
the people of color who have expressed a desire to go. And with- 
out a larger and more sudden increase of their funds than can be 
expected from the voluntary contributions of individuals, their pro- 
gress must be slow and uncertain. They have always flattered them- 
selves with the hope, that when it was seen they had surmounted the 
difficulties of preparation, and shewn that means applied to the exe- 
cution of their design, would lead directly and evidently to its ac- 
complishment, they should be enabled to obtain for it the national 
countenance and assistance. To this point they have arrived; and 
they therefore respectfully request, that this interesting subject may 
receive the consideration of your honorable body, and that the Execu- 
tive Department may be authorized, in such way as may meet your 
approbation, to extend to this object such pecuniary and other aid. 
as it may be thought to require and deserve. 

Your memorialists further request, that the subscribers to the 
American Colonization Society may be incorporated, by act of Con- 
gress, to enable them to act with more efficiency, in carrying on the 
great and important objects of the society, and to enable them, with 
more economy, to manage the benevolent contributions entrusted to 
their care. 

JOHN MASON, -| 
W. JONES, ' „ 

E. B. CALDWELL, >^mimtUe. 

F. S. KEY. J 

Washington, February 1, 1820. 



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